Rail system



June 27, 1967 RQH. MURDOCK 3,328,057

RAIL SYSTEM Filed June 9, 1964 v 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 M F IG. 2 24 I I 23 AI i 22 I H ,4 a O I h H I V o I 5% 2 a I: a

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ATTORNEYS ROBERT H. MURDOCK June 27, 1967 R. H. MURDOCK 3,328,057

RAIL SYSTEM Filed June 9, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 F I G. 7 x

' INVENTOR ROBERT H.- MURDOCK BYML/ mgw ATTORNEYS United States Patent3,328,057 RAIL SYSTEM Robert H. Murdock, Kensington, Califi, assignor toAmerican Metal Climax, Inc., New York, N.Y., a corporation of New YorkFiled June 9, 1964. Ser. No. 373,643 1 Claim. (Cl. 287-54) Thisinvention relates generally to a rail system, and more specifically to ahand railing system formed of interconnected railings, post andbalusters, with the posts and balusters mounted from the side of abuilding structure such as along the edge of a balcony, stairs, and thelike, and which may be readily assembled and accurately aligned with thebuilding structure.

In recent years the use of strong, light-weight, and corrosion-resistantmetals, such as aluminum, with or without anodizing, in hand railing hasbecome increasingly popular, because the railings are not only extremelystrong and durable, but are adaptable to be constructed in veryeye-pleasing designs-and may be further provided with variousattractive, colorful and maintenance-free finishes, such as anodizing aporcelain enamel.

A dangerous disadvantage inherent in prior railings was due to themanner of assembly thereof in which fasteners, such as boltheads,screwheads, or the like, were exposed to cause injury to the fingers andhands of a person, especially small children, traversing the railing.Furthermore,

such exposed fasteners render the railing susceptible to,

tampering, vandalism, and public sabotage.

Another ditficulty with the prior railing system was the accuratealignment of the railing to the surface of a building, particularlywhere metal anchors were embedded in concrete.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a newand improved railing system.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved railing system which overcomes the abovementioned difficulties.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a railing systemwhich is quickly assembled with no exposed fasteners to provide a smoothand uninterrupted railing surface.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved rail system which can be accurately aligned with the buildingstructure.

Yet a further object of the present invention is the provision of a newand improved side mount for securing posts and balusters of a railingsystem to a vertical side surface of a building structure.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a sidemount which will tolerate minor misalignment of the anchors to which therailing system is secured.

Yet a further object of the present invention is the provision of asplice means for joining two rails.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of an improvedsplice connection for the butt end of adjacent rails wherein there areno exposed fasteners, and whichmay be readily and quickly assembledwithin the rail ends.

Yet a further object of the present invention is the provision of a newand improved method for connecting and aligning railing components suchas posts and balusters to a building structure.

Yet a further object of the present invention is a new and improvedmethod for butting the adjacent ends of a railing together.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent as the following description proceeds and the features ofnovelty which characterize the invention will be pointed out withparticularity in the claim annexed to and forming a part of thisspecification.

3,3Z8fi57 Patented June 27, 1967 In accordance with these and many otherobjects of the present invention, there is provided a railing systemaccording to the present invention which is particularly adapted formounting on the side vertical surface of a building structure, such as abalcony or stairway. There is provided an improved side mount whichprovides for proper alignment of the rail system through the side mount'with expansion shields in the building structure, or with othersuitable tapped holes such as in a cast-in anchor set in the buildingstructure. The side mount includes an elongated mount body of suitablematerial such as aluminum and having large countersunk, through openingsadapted to generally align with the apertures of an expansion shield orother tapped openings of an anchor. Each side mount includes a pair ofalignment washers provided with eccentric bolt slots to receive the boltshanks. The washer is positioned selectively in the enlarged portion ofthe countersunk, through opening to align the slot with the respectiveone of the apertures. Thereafter bolts can be set through the slots andthreaded into the expansion shields or other means. In a preferredembodiment, the side mount has a 12 point internal adjustment in thecountersink so that the alignment washers may be readily positioned in aselected one of 12 positions.

It will be understood that the invention is also directed to the methodof securing and aligning the railing element such as the post andbaluster to suitable side anchor means. The improved method, accordingto the present invention, encompasses first the installation of the sidemount over the threaded mounting apertures, and plumbing the side mountand aligning the mount with the adjacent mount. Then the position of thebolt hole in the building structure is observed and the washers arepositioned with the slot pointing toward the proper hour to provide thedesired aligning. The side mount is now set to be bolted to the buildingstructure.

Advantageously the side mount utilizes inside-out bolts, fully concealedwithin the body of the mount, to connect the posts and balusters to theside mount. The post or baluster is readily assembled with the sidemount by first installing the inside-out bolt in the side mount prior tosecuring the side mount to the building surface. Thereafter the post orbaluster is placed in position against the extending inside-out bolt andthe inside-out bolts are threaded into the post or baluster with anAllen wrench or other turning tool extending through an opening in thepost. In this manner no fasteners, setscrews, or other obstructions areshowing.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the rails ofthe railing system are joined together by a new and improved spliceconnector. More specifically, there is provided an improved spliceconnector for joining the butted adjacent ends of open or hollow railstogether, and including a pair of connector pieces defining alongitudinally-split connector block positioned in the open interior ofthe rail. The confronting faces of the split connector block areprovided with pairs of aligned opposed pockets containing compressionmeans effective to expand the splice railing. Setscrews secure theconnector pieces together against the return bias of the com pressionmeans.

It will be understood that, in accordance with another aspect of thepresent invention, the end of the railings are readily joined togetherby use of the improved splice by first loosening the compressedconnector to provide a hand pressed fit into the end of one rail, andslipping the abutting rail over the other end ofthe connector. The

butt ends of the rails may be fitted if required with suitable fittingand shaping tools. The rails are then backed off sufficiently to permitreleasing the locking bolt or setscrew to allow the connector to expandunder the bias of the compression means. The butt ends of the rails arethen forced together over the full tension of the connector. If requiredby the location, self-tapping screws may be used to secure the connectorin place. It will be appreciated that the connector, according to thepresent invention, provides an ideal, rattle-free alignment, withnothing of the device or fasteners thereof showing.

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference may behad to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary isometric view illustrating the installationof the improved side mount according to the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the improved sidemount of FIGURE 1 according to the present invention;

FIGURE 3 is a front elevational view of the side mount positionedagainst a side anchor prior to fastening thereof;

FIGURE 4 is a front elevational view, similar to FIG- URE 3, andillustrating the side mount secured to the anchor;

FIGURE 5 is an isometric view of an aligning washer according to thepresent invention, and shown to a larger scale;

FIGURE 6 is an isometric view of an alignment member according toanother embodiment of the present invention;

FIGURE 7 is a front elevational view of a railing system according tothe present invention;

FIGURE 8 is an isometric view of a splice connector according to thepresent invention;

FIGURE 9 is a broken-away front elevational view of a splice connectorinserted in a hollow rail according to the present invention;

FIGURE 10 is a broken-away top view of the splice connector of FIGURE 9;

FIGURE 11 is a broken-away illustration of a splice connector prior toassembly in the end of a rail;

FIGURE 12 is a cross-sectional View of a splice connector, taken alongline 1212 of FIGURE 9; and

FIGURE 13 is a cross-sectional view of a splice connector taken alongline 1313 of FIGURE 9.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to the embodiment ofFIGURES 1 through 5 and 7, there is illustrated in FIGURE 7 an improvedrail system according to the present invention and formed of a pluralityof interconnected rail and post 22. Although the railing system isillustrated in FIGURE 7 as utilizing the post 22, it will be understoodthat the improvements according to the present invention are equallyapplicable to railing systems using balusters. The rails 20 and posts 22may be formed of any suitable materials, such as extruded aluminum. Theposts 22 are mounted to the side surface 23 of a building structure 24by improved side mounts 25 according to the present invention.

Referring now to FIGURES 1, 2, 3 and 4, which most clearly illustratethe improved side mount, the improved side mount is adapted forconnecting the posts 22 or balusters of the railing system to suitablemeans in the side wall 23 of the building structure 24. As thereinillustrated, there is provided a concrete anchor 27 provided withvertically-spaced threaded apertures 28 for receiving the side mount 25.It will be understood that any suitable securing means or anchor can beprovided, and, more specifically, expansion shields have been found wellsuited for securing the side mount in concrete or other similarmaterials. The side mount according to the present invention comprises avertically-elongated mount body 30 of suitable material such asaluminum, and having vertically-spaced countersunk through openings 31which are adapted to generally align with the threaded apertures 28 ofthe anchor 27. Each of the openings 31 include an enlarged countersunkportion 31a and a reduced diameter portion 3112. In the illustratedembodiment the enlarged portion 31a of the openings 31 is formed with 12point internal adjustment means defined 4 by angularly-spaced,superimposed regular convex hexagons. The reduced diameter portion 31bis sufficiently large to accommodate normal misalignment between theside mount and the apertures 28 as best illustrated in FIGURE 3.

To provide for proper alignment of the side mount with the expansionshield or threaded apertures 28, there is also provided an adjustingwasher 34 formed of at least 6 points, in the shape of a regular convexhexagon, and provided with an eccentric U-shaped bolt slot 35 extendinginwardly from one edge to receive an Allen bolt 36. It will beunderstood that other washers will work equally well as the illustrated6 point washer, such as a 12 point washer. Each adjusting washer 34 ispositioned angularly selectively in the enlarged portion 31a of arespective one of the openings 31 to align the slot 35 with a respectiveone of the threaded apertures 28 in the anchor 27, as best illustratedin FIGURE 4. It will be seen that the reduced diameter opening 311) isconsiderably larger than the shank diameter of the bolt 36 to allow forthe adjustable positioning of the bolt 36 in the opening 31.

To provide for connection of the post 22 to the side mount 30, the sidemount is counterbored with a pair of openings 40, FIGURE 2, in theopposite direction from the counterbored openings 31, and inside-outsidescrews 41 are used in the opening 40. Such inside-out screws are morefully described in my above-mentioned copending application, Ser. No.263,160 now Pat. No. 3,164,354, and need not be described herein indetail. However, briefly, the inside-out screws 41 include a head 41apositioned in the counterbore of the opening 40, and a threaded shankportion 41b. The threaded end of the screw 41 is provided with arecessed hexagonal opening as indicated at 42 for receiving a suitableturning tool such as an Allen wrench. Openings 43 are provided in theouter wall of the post 22 to provide access for the insertion of theAllen wrench to engage the screws 41.

From the above detailed description of the invention, the method ofsecuring and aligning the railing post 22 to the anchor 27 will beclear. However, briefly, it will be understood that with the adjustingwashers 34 out of the openings 31, the body 30 of the side mount 25 isplumbed and aligned. It is, of course, understood that the side mount 25is installed to the building structure 24 with the two inside-out screws41 in place in the mount. The position of the threaded apertures 28 withreference to the openings 31 can then be observed, and the adjustingwashers 34 are positioned by-the-clock to align the slot in the requireddirection as indicated in FIGURE 4. Thereafter the bolts 36 may beinstalled to securely fasten the side mount 25 to the side surface 23 ofthe building structure 24. The posts 22 are then positioned against theextending inside-out bolts and the bolts are assembled with the posts bymeans of Allen wrenches or other turning tools inserted through theopenings 43 in the posts 22.

Another embodiment of an adjusting member is illustrated in FIGURE 6. Astherein illustrated, there is shown an adjusting member 45 including ahexagonal washer portion 46 and an elongated cylindrical portion 47. Theentire adjusting member 45 is provided with an eccentric U-shaped boltslot 48. The adjusting member 45 may be used interchangeably with theadjusting washer 35 heretofore described.

According to yet another feature of the present invention, there isprovided an improved splice connector 50, FIGURES 7 through 11, forjoining the butted adjacent ends of the rails 20 together. The spliceconnector according to the present invention is formed of a pair ofconnector pieces 51 and 52 defining a longitudinally-split connectorblock having a cross-section loosely conforming to the interiorcross-section of the open or hollow rail 20. It will be understood thatalthough the splice connector 50 in the illustrated embodiment isgenerally trapezoidal in cross-section, the cross-sectional shape is notsignificant except to conform to the interior shape of the rail.Moreover, the connector block 50 is usable with open or hollow rails,and as herein used the term includes open rails. The connector pieces 51and 52 of the split connector block have vertical confronting faces 51a,5211 provided with a pair of spaced pairs of aligned opposed pockets 54.Each aligned pair of the pocket 54 contains compression members, such asthe illustrated compression springs 55, which bias the connector pieces51 and 52 apart.

For holding the connector pieces 51 and 52 together against the returnbias of the compression springs 55, the connector piece 51 is providedwith a countersunk horizontal hole 58 extending therethrough, andaligned with a threaded aperture 59 in the other of the'connector pieces52. A headed Allen screw 62 extends through the hole 58 and into thethreaded aperture 59.

To prevent sliding of the splice connector 50 into the first rail duringassembly and installation of the splice connector, one end of the spliceconnector may be knurled, as indicated at 64.

From the above detailed description of the splice connector 50, theimproved method according to the present invention is believed clear.However, briefly, the operation of the splice connector 50 will bedescribed. The splice connector 50 is furnished with the Allen screw 62under some tension so that the splice connector 50 slides easily intoone end of one of the rails 20. The end with the knurled edges 64 ispushed into the fixed one of rails 20, leaving half of the spliceconnector 50 extending from the end of the rail. Enough tension is nowreleased from the Allen screw 62 to assure that this end of the spliceconnector will maintain its position in the fixed rail. The nextadjacent rail is then slid into position over the splice connector andchecked for fit of the abutting ends. Any unevenness of the butt endsmay at this time be trimmed with a hand file for a proper hairlinejoint. After final fittings, the loose rail is backed ofi approximatelyone-half inch, and the Allen screw 62 in the splice connector iscompletely loosened to allow the spring tension in the splice connectorto expand the connector into both rails. The loose rail may then beshoved into position abutting the fixed rail. The joint is thereuponcompletely made up by fixing the previously loose rail to posts,balusters or wall brackets as required by the job installation. Normallythe tension in the splice connector would suffice for a permanent joint,but in cases where there is danger of undue strain longitudinally alongthe rail, self-tapping screws may be run into the bottom of the two railends and into the splice connector.

The connector according to the present invention is advantageous to amarked degree over heretofore known splice connectors. No evidence offasteners is shown on the exterior of the rail except in the extremecondition wherein self-tapping screws are run through the bottom of therails. Splice connectors can be adjusted in sloped rails by means oftension under load of the compression spring so that it does not slidecompletely into the fixed rail while adiustments to the rail ends arebeing made. Due to the adjustable tension in the splice connector, therails are held in nearly perfect alignment while the fit-up is made,allowing for a very accurate butting hairline fit between adjacent railends. The expansion principle of the splice connector automaticallyaligns the two adjoining rails to the best possible alignment, limitedonly by the accuracy of the extruded section as opposed to all otherknown connectors which provide alignment only to the extent of thelimits of the slip-fit of a solid connector.

Although the present invention has been described by reference to a fewembodiments and features thereof, it will be apparent that numerousmodifications may be devised by those skilled in the art which will fallwithin the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent ofthe United States is:

A side mount for connecting railing elements such as posts and balustersof a railing system to suitable side anchors means of the type providedwith vertically-spaced threaded apertures, said side mount being capableof compensating for misalignment of said apertures; said side mountcomprising a vertically-elongated mount body having vertically spacedcountersunk through openings adapted to generally align with theapertures of an anchor, the enlarged portion of said openings having across-sectional shape of at least one regular convex polygon, said mountbody being additionally provided with countersunk through openings in anopposite direction from the firstmentioned countersunk openings;aligning means each including a washer of regular convex polygonal shapeprovided With a U-shaped slot extending inwardly from one edge toreceive bolt means, said washer being angularly positioned selectivelyin the enlarged portion of a respective one of the first-mentionedopenings to align said slot with a respective one of said apertures,said washer interfitting with said body to lock said washer in theselected position; bolt means extending through said first-mentionedopenings adapted to be threaded into said apertures; and means forsecuring a railing element to said mount and including a headed screwextending through the last-mentioned openings and provided with means atits threaded end for receiving a turning tool.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,021,115 2/1962 Dake 2563,171,518 3/1965 Bergmann.

FOREIGN PATENTS 205,849 1/ 1957 Australia. 568,460 4/ 1945 GreatBritain.

CARL W. TOMLIN, Primary Examiner. 'A. V. KUNDRAT, Assistant Examiner.

